Celebrate Native American Heritage Month by learning about the diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Indigenous peoples. There are currently 574 federally recognized tribes, each with their distinct identities and customs. Explore these resources to honor the historical and present-day contributions of Native communities.
Recognize whose land you’re on
Use Native Land Map to identify the tribal lands you’re living on. Palo Alto is located on the traditional territory of:
Join us for events
- November 7: Documentary: OYATE
- November 9: Family Storytime: Celebrate Native American Heritage Month!, opens a new window
- November 12: Family Storytime: Celebrate Native American Heritage Month!, opens a new window
- November 19: Brown Bag @ the Movies!
- November 20: Family Craft: Navajo (Diné) Weaving
Expand your knowledge through reading
Adults:
- Celebrating Art by Indigenous Creators
- Indigenous Fiction, opens a new window
- Native American History Month, opens a new window
- Native American History Biography and Memoir, opens a new window
Teens:
Kids:
- Picture Books: Native American Heritage Month, opens a new window
- Middle Grade Books: Native American Heritage Month, opens a new window
- Indigenous Graphic Novels
- 2024 American Indian Library Association's Youth Literature Award, opens a new window
- Books to Celebrate and Learn About Indigenous People, opens a new window
Recommended resources:
- Recommended books and articles from The Association of Ramaytush Ohlone
- American Indians in Children's Literature blog by Dr. Debbie Reese of Nambé Pueblos
Separate facts from myths
- Learn the truths of the first Thanksgiving
- Explore materials for teachers and students on Native Knowledge 360°
Take a virtual field trip
- Visit the Sacred Springs Powwow, opens a new window to learn about Native dance, song and food
- Explore the diversity of Indigenous languages around the world with Google Earth’s Celebrating Indigenous Languages. You can also access Mango Languages, opens a new window with your library card to learn Indigenous languages such as Cherokee and Potawatomi.
- Check out Native artifacts at Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
- View this Smithsonian gallery of Indian imagery in the United States and think about the representations you encounter in your daily life
Watch a documentary or film
- Staff picks for Indigenous films, opens a new window to watch
- Kanopy, opens a new window: Stream documentaries and American Indian Film Festival award winners.
- Hoopla: Stream movies and films.
- Molly of Denali: Follows the adventures of a 10-year old Alaska Native girl, her family, dog, and friends. It is also the first U.S. cartoon series to feature Indigenous leads
Explore Native foods and recipes
- Learn to make frybread, an Iroquois white corn & berry dessert, and more!
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